Billy Joins Ray & B.B. On Stage In Woodland Hills (1972)

Photo shot at one of the concerts from the series at the Valley Music Theater.

B.B. King’s and Ray Charles’ paths crossed many times during their long careers. From late November to Mid December 1972 they shared the bill for a few 1-week stints. Between 5 and 10 December they played the Valley Music Theater in Woodland Hills (LA). The article below, from the Northridge Daily Sundial, describes how one of the concerts in these series got a memorable twist when Billy Preston joined B.B. and Ray on stage (it seems as if B.B. didn’t have a role in what followed). It’s one of these reviews that makes you wish you could travel back in time.

After surviving the usual sound problems,

“Charles was just about to close the show, out of disgust, when he reintroduced King who came on to play with Ray. This seemed to uplift [Charles’] spirits, but the real capper was when Billy Preston was called on stage to play with the band. This gave Charles just the spark he needed and he seemed to acquire new life.
Charles and Preston played a short version of Preston’s Outta Space and then George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord. The show concluded with a rousing 15-minute version of Let’s Go Get Stoned. Again standing ovations and riotous applause.”